Fundraising
Community Games offer a valuable opportunity for you to raise some much needed cash, either to ensure you can continue to stage future Community Games or to support local causes.
Here you will find information on how to ensure your Community Games event stays within the fundraising codes of practice and some helpful tips on how you can maximise the amount of money you raise.
An event fundraising committee, made up of volunteers with the right combination of skills and experience, may take a while to emerge but is something to aim for in the long term. At the outset however, you need to involve sufficient people with lots of energy and enthusiasm to see your event succeed. Fundraising is best viewed as an investment; you have to spend a bit in order to raise some more. So it’s good to have a small pot of money to start with, an idea of how much you want to raise and a plan of how you are going to raise it.
What’s your story?
To get the most out of fundraising events you need to tell people about the cause you are supporting and why you are asking them to donate to it.
People don’t give to organisations or buildings; they give to causes that move them and things they can see will make a bad situation better. It’s up to you to present your story in a compelling way so people can understand the benefits that will result from their support and be enthused. They will then want to give a bit more or go that extra mile. This story is your “case for support” and it has to be convincing and compelling. Try to sum it up in just a couple of sentences and, if possible, be able to say what £100, £250 or £1000 could buy and the difference it would make.
Example: For a scared and abused 16 year old on the streets it takes more than just a room for one night to make things better. At the YMCA £100 can give them a place of safety for the first few nights, while £250 can provide extended support and training to develop skills to live independently and confidence to face the world again.
Make sure the marketing and publicity materials for the event all consistently tell your story and, if appropriate, that the registration number of the charity that you are raising funds for is shown on all of them.
More information can be found in the Institute of Fundraising (IOF) code of fundraising practice section 5.0 on Fundraising Communications and Techniques.
The fundraising task
The fundraising opportunities will vary depending on the type of event you have chosen but the main ones will be: sponsorship for challenge events; entry fees; raffles; and collections. You might also want to generate further income by selling branded event merchandise, such as t-shirts, beanie hats (good for photos) or hoodies. Depending on the venue you might also invite local traders to rent a stand or a pitch to promote or sell their wares. If there is an event programme, include a couple of pages of advertising space and sell this to local traders or offer free space to event sponsors.
Fundraising Dos and Don’ts
Don’t be afraid to charge an entry fee for the fundraising element of your event; people expect to pay this and it helps to cover costs, taking pressure off the budget.
Don’t be over-generous with free stuff; the point of a fundraising event is to raise as much profit as possible. Freebies, unless donated, eat into profits.
Do choose activities that give you the best return for your time and money.
Do play to your strengths when choosing an event; make use of the assets and resources you already have. If you have access to a gym, consider gym based or “virtual” events rather than incurring the costs of taking to the great outdoors.
Do involve as many people as possible. If you are a charitable organisation your Trustees, senior staff, suppliers, service delivery staff, partners, suppliers, customers, members, service users and volunteers should all know about your event so they can support it if they choose to.
Do make it as easy as possible to take part. Offer online registration and payment if you can; it’s easier than filling in forms. Online fundraising is popular. It has associated costs but reduces your administration considerably, gift aid is collected for you, participants don’t have to chase up donations after the event and the average online donation is higher than with paper forms. See www.virginmoneygiving.com , www.justgiving.com , www.btplc.com/mydonate to weigh up the options.
Do promote text donations on the day by signing up to www.justgiving.com/justtextgiving. Spectators can text their donation by keying in your unique charity code followed by the amount they want to donate (£1-£5 or £10). For static events you could display banners prompting them to do so or have it printed on the back of a t-shirt for more mobile events.
Do ensure you collect Gift Aid on all qualifying donations. Information about Gift Aid can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift_aid/basics.htm
Do encourage people to enter a team for your event; that way they involve their friends and you raise more money.
Do make sure everyone knows the date all monies should reach the charity by.
Don’t be afraid to chase up outstanding monies; it is legally yours and holding onto it is fraudulent.
Do keep to the rules and follow the fundraising code of practice.
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself; it’s meant to be fun!
Do let donors know how their money will be used and keep them involved until next time.
Codes of Fundraising Practice
To avoid any bad press and protect the Community Games, charity and corporate brands you should ensure that your event conforms to the IOF code of fundraising practice, now just one single code that can be found at http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/code-of-fundraising-practice/
Community Games Organisers can apply for funding to help deliver their event from the following organisations:
Awards for All - England
Scheme Outline
Financial assistance is available for voluntary groups, schools, local authorities and health bodies in England to carry out projects that will improve their local community.
Eligible Costs
Publicity materials, venue hire, IT equipment, transport costs, volunteers' expenses, updating equipment for health and safety reasons, building, refurbishment and landscaping, training, sessional staff, equipment hire and VAT that cannot be recovered
Funding/Support
Grants will be awards of £300 to £10,000. Organisations cannot draw down more than £10,000 worth of Awards for All grants in any 24-month period
Match Funding
Match funding is not a necessary requirement as grants can cover up to 100% of a project's costs up to the maximum of £10,000
Who Can Apply?
Voluntary or community organisation, parish or town council, school or health body
Deadline(s)
Applications may be submitted at any time. Only one application from an organisation can be considered at any time. One project funded by Awards for All must be completed before the next application to Awards for All can be submitted
Contact
Awards for All Enquiries
Head Office
1 Plough Place
London
EC4A 1DE
Tel: 08454 10 20 30
E-mail: general.enquiries@awardsforall.org.uk
Website: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/index.html
Biffaward - Small Grants Scheme
Scheme Outline
Financial assistance is available to support community-led organisations that aim to improve the quality of life in their community.
Funding/Support
Grants of £250 to £5000 are available.
Match Funding
Applicants must find a third party contributor for at least 5% of the grant being applied for.
Who can Apply?
Non profit organisations
Deadline(s)
There is no official deadline for applications, which will be assessed and presented to the next available meeting.
Contact
Biffaward
The Kiln
Waterside
Mather Rd
Newark
NG24 1WT
Tel: 01636 670000
E-mail: biffaward@rswt.org
Website: http://www.biffaward.org/about/soverview
Building Blocks – West Midlands Police Charitable Trust
Scheme Outline
Building Blocks is the West Midlands Police Charitable Trust. The main focus of the Trust’s activities are youth issues and it supports projects that tackle drug and alcohol misuse and provides diversionary tactics to direct young people away from a life of crime.
Eligible Costs
Costs associated with eligible projects.
Funding/Support
There is no minimum or maximum grant available.
Match Funding
Match funding is not a specified requirement. However, the Trust favours applications where organisations have attempted to raise some funds themselves, even if the amounts are small
Who can Apply?
All organisations applying have to have an identified police partner and initiatives that will have a positive impact on local community issues.
Deadline(s)
Applications can be made at any time. The Board of Trustees meet on a quarterly basis to consider applications.
Contact
Ann Penfold,
Funding Officer
Local Policing Dept,
Aqua House,
20 Lionel Street,
Birmingham,
B3 1AQ
Website: http://www.buildingblockscharity.co.uk/
Cash 4 Clubs
Scheme Outline
Financial assistance is available for sports clubs throughout the UK to improve facilities, buy new kit and equipment, and increase sporting opportunities.
Eligible Costs
Anything that will add to the sustainability and effectiveness of the sports club
Funding/Support
Grants of £250, £500 and £1,000 are available.
Match Funding
Match funding is not a specified requirement.
Who can Apply?
Sports clubs that are registered with their sport's National Governing Body or local authority.
Deadline(s)
Applications may be submitted at any time and are considered three times a year.
Contact
E-mail: cash4clubs@betfair.com
Website: http://www.cash-4-clubs.com/
Comic Relief
Scheme Outline
Community Foundation Network is the managing agent for Comic Relief, whose funding is supporting some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK through the Local Communities fund
Eligible Costs
Anything that will add to the sustainability and effectiveness of the sports club
Funding/Support
Grants of £1000 to £10,000 a year are made.
Match Funding
Match funding is not a specified requirement.
Who can Apply?
Priority is given to small, locally-based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs.
Deadline(s)
Applications may be submitted at any time but there are deadlines and there will be periods of time when a grant round is temporarily closed.
Contact
Website: http://www.communityfoundations.org.uk/community_foundations/looking_for_funding/comic_relief/
Co-operative Community Fund
Scheme Outline
Financial assistance is available to voluntary, self-help, co-operative and not-for-profit organisations throughout the UK for projects that fulfil a community need.
Eligible Costs
Equipment, event costs, rent or fixtures, sport or computer equipment are all eligible costs.
Funding/Support
Grants range from £100 to £2,000.
Match Funding
Match funding is not a specified requirement.
Who can Apply?
Voluntary, community and self-help groups, community charities and local branches of national charities.
Deadline(s)
Applications may be submitted at any time.
Contact
Grants Administrator
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund
6th Floor, New Century House
Corporation Street
Manchester
M60 4ES
Tel: 0844 262 4001
E-mail: community.fund@co-operative.coop
Website: http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/local-communities/community-fund/
Community Foundation Network
Scheme Outline
Grants for projects in all sectors of the local community. Each foundation has its own character appropriate to the location and grants may be made to a wide range of activities including: health; children and young people; arts and culture; the environment; services.
Eligible Costs
Not specified
Funding/Support
Varies. Major capital projects are unlikely to be supported
Match Funding
Applicants must show what other sources of funding have been secured
Who can Apply?
Voluntary, community and charitable organisations and occasionally, individuals
Deadline(s)
Varies, depending on location
Contact
Community Foundation Network
Arena House
66-68 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9HS
Tel: (020) 7713 9326
Fax: (020) 7713 9327
E-mail: network@communityfoundations.org.uk
Website: http://www.communityfoundations.org.uk/community_investment/voluntary_community_clients/
People's Postcode Trust - Small Grants Programme
Scheme Outline
The People’s Postcode Trust aims to make Scotland, England and Wales a better place for both people and nature and acts within the following six fields of operation: poverty prevention; advancement of health; community development; public sports; human rights; and environmental protection.
Eligible Costs
The Trust will fund a variety of activities, which include one or more of its fields of operation.
Funding/Support
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for those in Scotland and England. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for those in Wales
Match Funding
Preferential treatment is given to projects, which attract additional funding from other sources.
Who can Apply?
English-based community groups, small organisations and registered charities.
Deadline(s)
Applications for projects under £2,000 can be made at any time.
Contact
Management Team
Suite G4
14 Links Place
Edinburgh
EH6 7EZ
Tel: (0131) 555 7287
E-mail: info@postcodetrust.org.uk
Website: http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/
sported
Scheme Outline
sported. is a national charity that provides support to community sport organisations that work with young people in disadvantaged areas.
Eligible Costs
Funding is available for salaries, running costs/overheads and programme delivery costs associated with improving the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport.
Funding/Support
Small grant up to £2,000 & Large grants up to £10,000
Who can Apply?
Voluntary and community sport organisations which need to be a member of sported
Deadline(s)
Applications can be made at any time
Contact
Website: http://www.sported.org.uk/
Wakeham Trust
Scheme Outline
Grants are available to registered charities, community and voluntary groups in the UK to help re-build communities through community participation.
Eligible Costs
Start-up costs, equipment and publicity
Funding/Support
Grants of between £75 and £750
Match Funding
Match funding is not a specified requirement. However, the Trust favours applications where organisations have attempted to raise some funds themselves, even if the amounts are small
Who can Apply?
Charitable and non-profit-making organisations
Deadline(s)
Applications can be made at any time
Contact
The Wakeham Trust
Wakeham House
Rogate
Petersfield
Hants
GU31 5EJ
Tel: (01730) 821748
E-mail: wakehamtrust@mac.com
Website: http://www.wakehamtrust.org/
